Reasons for Designation
Around 6,000 moated sites are known in England. They consist of wide ditches,
often or seasonally water-filled, partly or completely enclosing one or more
islands of dry ground on which stood domestic or religious buildings. In some
cases the islands were used for horticulture. The majority of moated sites
served as prestigious aristocratic and seigneurial residences with the
provision of a moat intended as a status symbol rather than a practical
military defence. The peak period during which moated sites were built was
between about 1250 and 1350 and by far the greatest concentration lies in
central and eastern parts of England. However, moated sites were built
throughout the medieval period, are widely scattered throughout England and
exhibit a high level of diversity in their forms and sizes. They form a
significant class of medieval monument and are important for the understanding
of the distribution of wealth and status in the countryside. Many examples
provide conditions favourable to the survival of organic remains.
Details
The monument is the moated site of the original Scarisbrick Hall and is
located in Old Wood, some 140m NW of the modern Scarisbrick Hall. The site
includes a tree and scrub covered island measuring c.100m x 50m flanked on the
SW and NW sides by a waterlogged moat. The SW arm is c.18m max. width x 3m
deep while the NW arm measures c.4m wide x 1.5m max. depth. The moat's NE
arm is formed by the Eas Brook, in the banks of which a considerable amount of
dressed stone is visible. Dumping has obliterated all traces of a SE arm and
has infilled the S end of the SW arm.
Scarisbrick Hall was originally a half-timbered 11th/12th century manor house.
It is mentioned in an early 13th century deed when it was in the possession of
Walter de Scarisbrick.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13475
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
